Southend Airport not hosting aircrafts viewing event

The Red Arrows, Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster and Spitfires will once again be based at the airport this August for the Eastbourne, Folkestone and the Clacton airshows.

Last year, the airport launched a last-minute experience with a pop-up viewing area for guests to indulge in breathtaking up close and personal views of the bomber, unique sights of the apron and runway, and the chance to speak to members of the flight crew.

Entrance proceeds saw £500 raised for the mental health charity South East and Central Essex Mind.

But now, bosses have confirmed there will be no event this year because of safety reasons due to the “increased commercial operation”.

A spokesperson for Southend Airport said: “Southend Airport will not be organising and hosting apron tours for the return of the Red Arrows, Typhoon Display Team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight this August due to the positive growth in our commercial operation with airline partner easyJet.

“Public safety is of the upmost importance, as is maintaining and adhering to strict safety and security regulations around the aircraft and airfield.”

This comes after the airport hosted a Facebook Live Q&A session on June 5 where a viewer asked what the plans were for the Red Arrows and if there will be a car park open for people to see the aircrafts.

The spokesperson said: “We understand that people want to be able to see the aircraft.

“We do have long-stay two, which is a much longer car park at the end of runway 23 if you wish to view the planes from there. But you would naturally be expected to pay to park because officially, we are not doing anything this year, unfortunately.”

The activity at the airspace in 2022 were dubbed a “mini airshow”.

Running from 1986 to 2013, Southend’s much-missed airshow, once the largest free event in Europe, also hosted the thrilling Red Arrows, the roaring Lancaster and Spitfires, as well as wing-walkers.